Reliability and Validation Properties of the Malaysian Language Version of the Occupational Self Assessment Version 2.2 for Injured Workers with Musculoskeletal Disorders

Abstract

Return to work (RTW) for workers with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to work-related injury is often a long rehabilitation process, which Young et al (2005) divided into four main phases: off-work, work re-entry, maintenance and advancement. The end of each RTW phase marks the achievement of important milestones. These are, respectively, (1) the ability to attempt work re-entry, (2) the ability to perform satisfactorily in pre-injury or alternative duties, (3) the ability to maintain employment and (4) the ability to advance in one's career (Young et al 2005). There are several issues at the different phases that need to be addressed, specific to the level of functioning of the worker, such as personal factors of volition, habituation and skill /occupational performance (Baron and Littleton 1999, Kielhofner 2008). However, evaluation of the individual's abilities at each level requires the use of measurements that are valid and reliable, and also sensitive to change over time. While such instruments are available in countries such as North America, the United Kingdom and Australia, the Occupational Self Assessment (OSA), one of the Model of Human Occupation (Kielhofner 2008) assessments, has not been validated for use in Asian countries such as India and Malaysia.

Validity of the Turkish Occupational Self Assessment for Elderly Individuals

“…We observed a weak correlation between OSA competence and SMAF mental subtest results. Murad et al (2011) applied the Malaysian version of the OSA with 35 injured workers and also found a weak correlation between OSA competence and the mental health status of workers, similar to our findings. These results were anticipated for both studies because the OSA was designed to assess occupational competence in relation to an individual’s performance capacities, habituations, and roles; it was not designed to reveal mental health problems.…”

“…In Turkey, occupational therapists use the MOHO conceptual framework; however, there are no studies evaluating older individuals’ occupational competence. The OSA has been translated into other languages like Malaysian and Persian (Asgari & Kramer, 2008; Murad, Farnworth, & O’Brien, 2011) and is currently in use in other countries but has not yet been translated and used in Turkey. Although the OSA was designed as a generic tool that is equally applicable in all cultures (Baron, Kielhofner, Iyenger, Goldhammer, & Wolenski, 2006), in this study, we investigated whether the Turkish OSA version 2.2 is a valid instrument for assessing Turkish elderly individuals’ occupational competence.…”

Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Reliability, and Convergent Validity of Occupational Self-Assessment for Brazilian Portuguese

“…Furthermore, the OSA-Brazil construct validity was supported by evidence of convergent validity with six domains on the SF-36 (Ware, 2000). This finding is consistent with previous research, which found significant correlations between the OSA-Brazil and the SF-36 (Murad et al, 2011). The OSA was developed to assess occupational competence and values’ self-perception across 21 items on the OSA questionnaire.…”

“…The measure evaluates the quality of life across eight domains: vitality, physical functioning, bodily pain, general health perceptions, physical role functioning, emotional role functioning, social role functioning, and mental health (Ciconelli et al, 1999). Based on previous research findings from a study that performed a cross-cultural adaptation of the OSA Version 2.2 for Malaysia, it was hypothesized that participants' self-reported occupational performance would be positively correlated with their self-reported health-related quality of life (Murad et al, 2011). It was also hypothesized that there would be a strong correlation between the OSA-Brazil and SF-36.…”

Occupational competence and its relationship to emotional health in injured workers in return to work programs: A Malaysian study

“…The latest study using Rasch measurement analysis demonstrated that the 21 OSA items (using the four-level rating scales) had good internal validity and could measure a single construct of occupational competence (23). Furthermore, OSA has been translated into the Malay language and has been assessed for its reliability and validity in people with MSDs who did not attend SOCSO's RTW programme (24).…”